Book Description:
There are names that have been passed down through thousands of years which have powerful and deep-rooted meaning to their bearers. Other names have been adopted from other languages, cultures and from the big screen. They all have one thing in common. They are with us from birth until the grave and they are how we are known to everyone that we meet.
There are classical names such as Adam, David and Sarah that will grace millions of babies in the future. There are also names that parents have invented or borrowed from places or events in their lives which may last just one lifetime or may become the classic names of tomorrow.
Whatever the name there is always a story behind it. In What’s in a Name? – Volume One, twenty men and women face danger, love, loss, romance, fear, revenge and rebirth as they move through their lives.
Anne changes her name because of associations with her childhood, Brian carries the mark of ancient man, Jane discovers that her life is about to take a very different direction, and what is Isobel’s secret?
My Review:
In What’s in a Name? – Volume One, Sally Cronin’ brings together characters in her short stories, framed and shaped by their names in one way or another. Her gift to evoke a scene, a sense of place, runs parallel with her knack of homing in on the minutiae, to bring to life situations and relationships. And, as always with all this author’s work her innate empathy for the human condition shines through while at the same time she writes to entertain the reader. Each tale, whether coming to a foregone conclusion or having a unexpected twist at the end is such a satisfying read.
Highly recommended
I loved this first volume so was thrilled when Sally gifted me the second: What’s in a Name? Volume 2: Stories of Life and Romance, in return for an honest review…
Book Description:
Our legacy is not always about money or fame, but rather in the way that people remember our name after we have gone. In these sixteen short stories we discover the reasons why special men and women will stay in the hearts and minds of those who have met them. Romance, revenge and sacrifice all play their part in the lives of these characters.
Kenneth watches the love of his life dance on New Year’s Eve while Lily plants very special flowers every spring for her father. Martha helps out a work colleague as Norman steps back out into the world to make a difference. Owen brings light into a house and Patrick risks his life in the skies over Britain and holds back from telling a beautiful redhead that he loves her.
Meet Queenie and Rosemary who have both lost their husbands and must face a very different future. One that will take courage and the use of new technology.
Sonia is an entitled princess whose father has reached the end of his tether and Theresa has to deal with a bully in the checkout. Usher is an arrogant narcissist with a docile wife and is used to getting his own way and Vanessa worries about the future of her relationship with her teenage son.
Walter is a loner and is happy with just his dog for company, Xenia is the long awaited first baby of a young couple. Yves is a dashing romeo who has the tables turned on him unexpectedly and Zoe… Well she can see into the future.
In one way or another all these characters will be remembered by those whose lives they have touched.
My Review:
And I can honestly say I enjoyed this set of stories even more than the first volume. In this the reader finds stories continuing the alphabet of names, male and female; here there is joy and despair, true love and duplicity, romance and companionship.
What’s in a Name? Volume 2: Stories of Life and Romance shows, yet again, what a consummate storyteller Sally Cronin is. This author carries the reader into the world of fiction; ever willing to be swept along by the words; by the willing suspension of disbelief.
As always, I won’t give away any of the stories; they are there waiting to be discovered.
All I can say is that I wholeheartedly recommend this collection of innovative short stories.
I’m more than happy to give both these volumes 5*
Buying Links:
Amazon.co.uk: What’s in a name: http://amzn.to/2wu4ve9
What’s in a Name? Volume 2: Stories of Life and Romance: http://amzn.to/2ij2NXJ
Amazon.com: What’s in a name: http://amzn.to/2weFR1h
What’s in a Name? Volume 2: Stories of Life and Romance: http://amzn.to/2fWXMTP
About the author
Sally says:
After working in a number of industries for over 25 years, I decided that I wanted to pursue a completely different career, one that I had always been fascinated with. I began studying Nutrition and the human body twenty years ago and I opened my first diet advisory centre in Ireland in 1998. Over the last 18 years I have practiced in Ireland and the UK as well as written columns, articles and radio programmes on health and nutrition.
I have always been a reader and that fuelled my imagination as a child. The ability to write is a gift that millions still do not have and it makes my stories and novels even more precious to me. I hope you will enjoy them too.
Links to sally’s books:https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books/
I really must get these out of my TBR pile and actually read them! Thanks for your great reviews.
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Thanks for dropping by, Norah. These are a lovely collection of stories. Great to pick up and read one at a time. Of course, for me, hooked I read them all at once. 🙂
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Lovely recommendation. Thanks once again. 🙂
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Thank you, Norah. 🙂
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Thank you so much Norah and I hope when you unearth them you enjoy. hugs x
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I’m sure I shall!
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I have yet to read the second volume, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first book. I know I am in for a treat though as Sally’s stories are so absorbing! 🙂
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You are, Judy; Sally is a brilliant writer. Thanks for dropping by. ❤
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It is always a pleasure to visit you both! 🙂
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❤
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Thank you Judy.. and for the lovely words.. a writer cannot ask for more. hugs xx
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Thank you so much Judith… I am so delighted that you enjoyed the stories and your opinion means a great deal to me. Some of these stories have very personal connections and I sent them out in to the world not knowing how they would be received. Thank you again for such lovely reviews. I will reblog tomorrow.. xx
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It’s always a pleasure, Sally… and actually a relief when I read good writing from a friend… so I can give an honest review of ‘good writing’ ❤ 🙂
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I also enjoyed Sally’s first volume and look forward to the second. It’s lovely to see her making the rounds and getting some great press on her books!
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And well deserved I think Diana. ❤
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Thanks Diana.. I had not expected such a richly appointed couple of days and really stoked.. thanks to you both. hugs xx
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It’s always lively over here, Sally, and you added your friends to the mix, so it’s been extra fun. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. 🙂
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Great Diana and I had fun mixing with your Spam crowd too.. they were a better quality than mine! hugs xx
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Lovely review, Judith. But with Sally as subject how could it be otherwise? Hugs all around.
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Cheers Teagan, I know. Isn’t it great how friends are made in different ways. xx
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Thanks Teagan.. that is a lovely thing to say… hugs xxx
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Fab review for Sal’s books! I’m looking so forward to reading Book 2. Just waiting for my copy. ❤ xoxo
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Thanks Debby. ❤
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Proof on its way and then a week to get the copies.. hopefully as we are trying out a new printer using me as a guinea pig.. hugs ♥
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Lol. No doubts it will be beautiful! ❤
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
What is more welcome than a review for one of your books? I will tell you. Two Reviews! Judith Barrow has read volumes one and two of What’s in a Name and has rendered her verdict.. I will give you a clue… I am tickled pink… I hope you will head over and read.. thanks Judith…
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You are so welcome,Sally – great reads as always. ❤
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It sounds like you read like I do, Judith – cover to cover, even with shorts that can be taken one at a time. I am SO looking forward to the ride.
I need to figure out how to get Vol. I off my computer and onto my Kindle, and your lovely reviews make me want to do so NOW (even though it’s almost dawn and I really do need to head to bed).
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Off computer to kindle, Madalyn,- make up another email address (I call myself judithreviewer) type ” convert” in the subject line, go to attach – find the file in downloads and attach and send. Hope that helps. I’m actually going to patent something I can hang around my neck to read as i go around the house, lol. xx
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Thanks for this, Judith. I copied it to TextEdit so I am SURE I can find it again when I awaken. You’re a doll!
xx,
mgh
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You’re very welcome, Madalyn. It would be a shame to miss out on a good read. x
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I’m assuming the fake email must be attached to my Amazon account? I don’t see a ways to email enable the Kindle — not that I’d want to get the eglut in TWO places anyway, so the wisdom of the fake one is not lost on me.
xx,
mgh
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Hi Madelyn, it’s not a fake email, you may set up as many email addresses as you like, you know. It’s just that you need one to just use to convert any books you save to your download file on your PC. Say someone sent me a mobi of their book – I’d click to download i, would go to the ‘download’ file – then open a message as though I’m are going to compose one, type in the email address I’ve made… write ‘convert’ in the subject line and then attach the mobi file from the download file (mine always shows as a little blue book, with the name of the book)and send. Voila, it appears on your kindle. Sorry, I’m not very good at explaining these things xx
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Your instructions aren’t the problem, Judith – it’s my lack of familiarity with new tech stuff. I had planned to tackle it today, but a rare drop-in visit from a friend and his dog changed the agenda. And NOW it is 3AM again.
It will happen – especially thanks for your kind explanations – it just may take more time to get it DONE.
Once I’ve gotten it to work I’m sure I’ll wonder why it ever seemed difficult. I don’t really “get” how the Kindle works – right now it seems more like magic than anything else. lol
Thanks for the time you took helping me. I TRULY appreciate it.
xx,
mgh
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No problem, Madelyn. I struggled at first with this… and later wondered why. 🙂 (I had to write down what I’d done the last time for ages before i ‘got’ it) ❤
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Sorry Madelyn to cause a ruckus.. I hope you succeed ..and that you got some sleep… hugs xx
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I’m sure I will – I can be a bit dense about tech stuff sometimes, but I eventually prevail. Knowing that your book is waiting for me is great motivation – and learning MOBI conversion will come in handy in the future I’m sure.
xx,
mgh
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Is it volume 1 or two that you have because if it is volume 1 can send you a pdf of the book that you can read on your computer… xxxx
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Lovely review Judith, really whetted my appetite!
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Thanks Paul… and good; well worth a read. x
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Good to hear Paul.. xxx
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I am delighted to read these wonderful reviews of Sally’s books, Judith. I loved Book 1 and have Book 2 on my kindle waiting for me. I am planning to read it on my flight home.
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Hi Robbie, I think you’ll love them… I did. ❤
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Thanks Robbie.. I hope you enjoy… in the meantime love your posts on your trip. xx
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Thanks for these wonderful and inspiring reviews Judith, these books are on my list. wishing great success to Sally, one of my kindest friends. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words, Balroop. Sally deserves the reviews; the are lovely stories. And, yes, she is a lovely friend to have.x
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Thank you Balroop.. I hope you enjoy when you have time.. xxx
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Lovely reviews, Judith! Congrats, Sally! I loved both books! Hugs to you both! ❤️ Xx
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Thanks for dropping by, Janice. ❤
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Thank you Janice and for the reviews, treasured as always.. xxx♥
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My pleasure, Sal! 😘🤗xx
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A wonderful review.
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Wonderful reads, Adele.x
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I agree. xxx
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I am very happy Adele as you can imagine.. xxx
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Does a happy dance for you. xxx
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It will happen – especially thanks for your variety explanations – it just may aim more prison term to stimulate it DONE.
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Great story…do read mine
https://feminismnuance.wordpress.com/2017/09/15/history-versus-fictional/
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Will do. Going there now
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